Tom honoured for helping to save man’s life

PC Tom White (GSAL10) is to receive an award from the Royal Humane Society for his part in helping to save the life of a cyclist who had suffered a heart attack.

Tom was on duty with his colleague PC Jordan Howson last September when they heard about a suspected road accident in Bramley and dashed to the scene on Whitecote Hill.

When they arrived they were told by a retired nurse delivering first aid that 59-year-old Christopher Woodhead, from Tingley, had actually suffered a heart attack while cycling the steep climb. The two PCs took it in turn to try and resuscitate him while waiting for the arrival of an air ambulance which took Mr Woodhead to Leeds General Infirmary.

The officers then tracked down his wife Tina at work after searching for her on Facebook and rushed her to the hospital.

They found out the next day that Mr Woodhead had survived.

Tom said: “I am honoured that what we did that day has been recognised but the best outcome for me was that a life has been saved.”

The two PCs will receive Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificates later this year.

On leaving GSAL Tom studied business and management at Sheffield Hallam University before joining West Yorkshire Police at the start of 2014. He is currently a response officer based at Pudsey Police Station in Leeds.